where to begin...

Hi everyone! This is new to me (blogging that is), as I will be documenting my experience in Jamaica as a Peace Corps Trainee...then Volunteer :)
The first three months I am training and learning all that I need to do and be.
So without further ado...

These past few days have been busy!! The adventure began in Atlanta, Ga for our staging event. I met 35 other wonderful people who picked up and left to go to Jamaica, like me! At staging we got to meet and learn a little about eachother. But more importantly, we got to understand and become confident in our reasons for leaving home and working with people we havent met yet! At the end of the day, I felt more confident in my belief of Peace Corps mission and myself. The 3 goals of Peace Corps are to create friendship and peace with other countries who want us, for the US to teach the other country about ourselves, and for that country to teach us as well.

After staging we woke early, like before last call and headed to the airport for Jamaica. Then off we went to Kingston! Upon getting to the Kingston Manley Airport, somebody took my orange duffle bag. Weird right?! There were 2 of them on the plane! But luckily the switch up was solved, it took some time, and I got my bag back. No biggie, it could happen anywhere, and without the help of the Peace Corps staff, the process of getting my bag could've taken forever! Everyone has been and is so helpful!!  The picture above is of Kingston from the hotel were we stayed for a couple days before pre-service training.

Since arriving, I've been in meetings and learning more peoples names. I've learned about safety, medical and cultural information for the next 27 mo. They're exhausting but so knowledgable.

 The volunteers in my group have all become close in just half a week. There are people from all walks of life and with so much experiences share. We are now in our pre-service training in St. Catherine's parish near the coast. It's beautiful. My host family is helpful and teaching me Patwa!

We went to the beach today and the fishermen were bringing in all sorts of sea life. Including a Conch! The fishermen told the group of us how they cook it...curry conch, stew...then he says to one of our guys " you know what its good for?", "for strength"...bahaha. if you dont know what I mean. Look it up!

Tomorrow we go to church, church can go from 2 hours to just about the whole day! I'm excited though, the people are animated and passionate, I could imagine these descriptions will be reflected in the services.
Lata!